EXILED IN MY HOMELAND

Born in his native village of Lachen, North Sikkim, and educated in Mount Hermon School, Darjeeling, Jigme N. Kazi, studied law, journalism and business management in Mumbai. He is also a trained teacher with several years of teaching experience.

Because of his bold and independent reporting during his career spanning three and half decades, Jigme N. Kazi became a target of the political establishment in Sikkim. As a result, his newspapers were forced to suspend publication, printing press shut down and house, partly demolished. Torching of his press vehicle, ransacking of his printing press and various forms of financial pressure are some of the ways in which the authorities have clamped down on the author, who still remains determined to preserve freedom of speech and expression.

Most books on Sikkim’s history and politics are written by those who have no practical experience in these subjects. Jigme N. Kazi is perhaps one of the few writers whose views and perceptions are borne out of personal experience, personal contacts, and involvement with major personalities and events in Sikkim.

Since 1983, Jigme N. Kazi has worked for numerous local, regional, national and international publications and news services, including Eastern Express, North East Daily, The Telegraph, The Statesman, The Times of India, United News of India (UNI), Inter Press Service (IPS), and The Independent (Nepal).

He is the editor-cum-proprietor of Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian and author of Inside Sikkim: Against The Tide (1993), Sikkim For Sikkimese: Distinct Identity Within The Union (2009), The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland (2014), and Hail Mount Hermon! A Tribute (2020).